ST. PETERSBURG, FL August 24, 2012 – Increased Atlantic activity continues to churn out storms for 2012. On Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center christened Isaac, the ninth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. Because of this, travelers considering purchasing insurance for the storm should save their money. According to travel insurance comparison website, Squaremouth.com, it is now too late to buy insurance for Isaac.

On Thursday morning, Isaac brought torrential rains to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Although the storm showed slight signs of weakening, forecasters expect it to strengthen into a Category 1 Hurricane as it approaches the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Computer models suggest that the storm may turn northwest, hitting Florida by Monday.

With the Republican National Convention scheduled in Tampa this weekend, many people traveling to Florida are concerned about potential cancellations and evacuations. Since Isaac has been named, travel insurance for losses associated with the storm can no longer be purchased. The hurricane and weather benefits of travel insurance policies are nullified when bought after a storm is named. “Travel insurance companies will review the purchase date and time of a policy when a weather-related claim is filed,” explains Chris Harvey, CEO of Squaremouth. “In the case of Isaac, as long as the insurance policy was purchased before Tuesday afternoon, when the National Weather Service named the storm, the hurricane and weather benefits will provide coverage.”

Travelers should note that even if a policy with weather benefits is purchased before a storm is named, there are still coverage stipulations to be aware of. For example, some policies will only provide coverage if there is complete cessation of a common carrier for a specified amount of time. This means that if a traveler’s destination is in the path of a named storm, but the destination airport remains open, weather benefits cannot be claimed to recover losses if the trip is cancelled.

During the Atlantic hurricane season, which begins June 1st and ends November 30th, it is advisable to closely monitor weather conditions that could impact travel plans. Above normal ocean surface temperatures may lead to heightened storm activity this year. With over three months left of the 2012 Atlantic storm season, plenty of time remains for tropical systems to develop. Travel insurance can help recover losses due to weather when purchased early. To avoid confusion over coverage, Squaremouth suggests that it is critical to review exclusions and limitations of travel insurance policies.

About Squaremouth
Squaremouth is America’s fastest growing travel insurance comparison site, helping customers instantly quote, compare and buy policies from every major provider. Squaremouth has an extensive network of partner sites worldwide. The company is headquartered in St. Petersburg, FL., with offices in Fort Wayne, IN. For more information, visit www.squaremouth.com.

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